Reinventing Magic: An Inventor's Tale
Chapter 37: The Count’s Decision

Chapter 37: The Count’s Decision

Edgar’s mind was a storm of conflicting thoughts. The revelations Kael had shared were monumental, each one carrying implications that threatened the very foundation of the kingdom. If the ancient seals were indeed failing, chaos and destruction would soon follow. He knew he must inform the king, but the gravity of the situation demanded undeniable proof.

"Kael," Edgar began, his voice calm but edged with urgency, "do you have anything substantial—anything irrefutable—that we can present to His Majesty? This cannot be based on speculation alone."

Kael hesitated, weighing his father’s words. His mind flicked to Alice, the enigmatic young woman from the capsule, and the holographic warning they had uncovered. Revealing Alice to the king was a gamble he wasn’t ready to take—her presence might be misunderstood, even exploited.

"There is something," Kael said carefully. "Not Alice. She’s too important to risk exposure right now. But the hologram we found... it carries a dire warning about the seals and the devastation their failure will bring. That might be enough."

Edgar stopped his restless pacing and turned to Kael, his sharp gaze locking onto his son’s. "You’re right to be cautious. We need to tread carefully, but the king must be convinced of the urgency. Show me this hologram, and we’ll determine our next steps."

Kael nodded, but Edgar’s piercing voice interrupted his thoughts. "However, the console is detached from its power source," Edgar noted. "Can you reinstall it in your workshop and prepare the message for viewing?"

"Yes, Father," Kael replied. "It’ll take some time, but I’ll have it ready by tomorrow."

Edgar’s gaze shifted to the window, where the sleek form of the Aetherwing Skiff gleamed under the sun in the courtyard. "And that remarkable contraption—tell me more about it."

Kael’s eyes lit up with pride. "The Aetherwing Skiff is a marvel of engineering and magic. Its anti-gravity enchantments let it hover effortlessly, while wind-magic thrusters provide propulsion and precision maneuvering. It can glide, hover, and even execute intricate aerial maneuvers, making it perfect for reconnaissance or exploration."

He hesitated before continuing, his voice tinged with reluctance. "But, Father, I plan to sell it to the Duke. The funds from the sale will allow us to continue my research and development. We need the resources."

Edgar’s expression darkened. "Sell it? That magnificent creation? Do you understand what you’re giving up?" His voice carried both astonishment and frustration.

Kael held his ground. "I do, Father. But we have no choice. The Aetherwing Skiff is unique, and its value can finance countless projects. Without the funds, our progress will stall."

Edgar’s gaze returned to the airship, admiration flickering in his eyes despite his disapproval. Kael noticed the fleeting expression and allowed himself a small smile. Father truly loves the airship.

Edgar exhaled deeply, regaining his composure. "Very well. If this is the path we must take, so be it. But before you sell it, I insist on experiencing it myself."

Kael grinned. "Of course, Father. You’ll see what it’s capable of."

Edgar’s lips twitched into a faint smile. "Good. Now, let’s focus on the task at hand. Prepare the hologram. The kingdom’s future may depend on it."

As the plans unfolded, Keira approached Kael, her eyes alight with determination. "Young Master, we must be thorough. If we’re to present this to the king, every detail must be precise. Let’s review the hologram carefully and prepare a comprehensive report."

Kael nodded. "You’re absolutely right, Keira. Precision is everything."

Victor, who had been listening from the doorway, strode into the room with a booming laugh. "Count me in! If we’re going to convince the king, we need a united front. I’ll help however I can."

Lily, quiet until now, stepped forward. Her soft voice carried an unwavering resolve. "I’ll ensure everything is organized, my lord. You can rely on me."

Oswald, ever the loyal steward, inclined his head solemnly. "I will oversee the manor’s operations during this critical time. You have my full support, Count Edgar."

Edgar regarded each of them with gratitude. "Thank you, all of you." Turning to Kael, his voice grew firm. "Let’s see this through."

The next day, Kael worked tirelessly in his workshop, reassembling the console with Keira’s assistance. Her magical expertise proved invaluable in the intricate process. As they toiled, they discussed strategies for presenting their findings to the king.

Finally, the console sprang to life. Kael activated the hologram, and the dire warning filled the room, its urgency chilling the air. Edgar watched, his face a mask of concentration.

"This is powerful evidence," Edgar said at last, his tone grave. "We cannot delay. The king must see this immediately."

Kael nodded. "Agreed. Let’s finalize our report and prepare for an audience with His Majesty."

Edgar straightened, resolve hardening his features. "For the kingdom’s sake, we cannot fail."

---

That same day, Kael found himself grappling with a new challenge: creating a portable power source for the console. The ancient ruins’ power systems were too unreliable to depend upon, and a self-sustaining alternative was crucial. His solution lay in a Red Mana Crystal, known for its capacity to store and channel raw magical energy.

Kael worked meticulously, channeling his mana into the crystal to stabilize its volatile output. Hours slipped by as he crafted a compact device that could provide consistent power to the console without overloading its delicate systems.

When the crystal began to emit a steady, ruby-red glow, Kael called out to Keira, who was nearby, organizing materials. "Keira, can you help me test this?" He held up the crystal, its pulsating light illuminating his determined face.

Keira approached eagerly. "Of course. What do you need me to do?"

Kael explained the process, guiding her through the steps of connecting the crystal to the console. With a faint hum, the device came to life, its holographic interface flickering into existence. Both watched intently as Kael scanned the data, verifying its functionality.

"It works," Kael said, relief washing over him. "Now we can install the capsule and its console. This will simplify everything."

They moved swiftly, integrating the capsule into the workshop’s systems under Kael’s guidance. The task required precision and focus, but their combined efforts made quick work of it. When the installation was complete, Kael’s expression turned serious.

"Keira, we need to place Alice back into the capsule. There’s an error in the rune enchantments that I need to correct, but first, she needs to be stabilized."

Keira’s brows furrowed in curiosity. "What’s your plan?"

Kael hesitated before answering. "I’m going to create a new enchantment matrix that integrates with the existing one. It’s experimental, but I believe it will stabilize her systems and enhance her functionality."

Keira’s concern shifted to practicality, and her eyes narrowed. "Before you do anything, you need to step outside. I won’t let you see Alice naked."

Kael blinked, momentarily taken aback, before nodding with a wry smile. "Understood. I’ll wait outside. Call me when you’re done."

With Kael waiting outside, Keira worked with care, placing Alice into the capsule. She adjusted the harness and ensured Alice was secure before activating the capsule’s internal mechanisms. Mana-infused fluid, shimmering with traces of life essence, began to fill the chamber. Keira watched in awe as the process unfolded, marveling at the seamless blend of magic and technology.

When everything was ready, she called Kael back in. "She’s set. You can start your work now."

Kael stepped in and immediately began rewriting the rune sequences. The holographic interface came alive under his touch, glowing runes dancing across the air as he meticulously adjusted and replaced enchantments. Keira watched in amazement, her curiosity piqued.

"How are you so skilled at this?" she asked. "Not even my master, Gideon Grimoire—a Sixth-Class Magician—was this proficient with rune enchantments."

Kael’s lips curved into a mysterious smile. "Let’s just say I’ve had plenty of time to experiment and learn. My methods are... unconventional."

---

The process was grueling, spanning seven days:

- Understanding the Enchantments (2 days):

Kael dissected the original matrix, studying its intricate structure and functionality. Every rune held a purpose, and understanding their interplay was essential.

- Adapting New Enchantments (2 days): He designed a complementary set of runes, ensuring they would integrate seamlessly with the existing framework. Adjustments were made to bridge the old and new systems.

- Rewriting the Matrix (2 days): Kael painstakingly replaced the flawed sequences, skillfully incorporating Luna’s AI scripts. His meticulous efforts created a harmonious blend of cutting-edge innovation and time-honored tradition.

- Testing and Debugging (1 day): The final step involved rigorous testing, identifying minor inconsistencies, and fine-tuning the matrix for optimal performance.

When the last rune was inscribed, Kael activated the enchantments. A radiant light filled the workshop as the capsule hummed with life. The console displayed a detailed status report:

----------------------------------------------------

Status Report:

>Enchantment Integration: Complete

>New Enchantment Integration: Successful

>System Stability: Optimal

>Activation Sequence: Initiated

----------------------------------------------------

As the light dimmed, Alice’s eyes opened, glowing with a soft, ethereal light.

"It worked!" Kael exclaimed, his voice filled with triumph.

Before he could react, Keira threw her arms around him in a joyous hug. "You did it, Young Master! You actually did it!"

Kael, momentarily stunned, returned the embrace instinctively. For a fleeting moment, the world faded, leaving only the two of them basking in shared triumph and connection.

When they pulled back, both realized the intimacy of the moment. Keira’s cheeks flushed, and she quickly looked away. "I... I’m sorry," she stammered. "I got carried away."

Kael smiled gently, his heart still pounding. "It’s alright. We did this together, Keira."

Her eyes softened, and she nodded, her voice a quiet echo. "Together."

Unbeknownst to them, Alice’s glowing eyes watched, her expression unreadable as the newly integrated enchantments hummed softly within her.